Oakwood Soccer State Champions
2 years ago, Oakwood FC went winless. Going 0-1-15, with a selfish team mentality caring about style more than the badge. Before being named head coach, Nunnally told Coach Quesnel, “We will win the State Championship.” Coach Quesnel admitted to thinking “He has no idea what he was getting into.” However Coach Quesnel was on board, and two seasons later after shoring up the team, Oakwood reached the State Championship. Although we lost by one goal to Statesville Christian, this gave the team new spirit and determination to win the following season.
Consequently, this season Oakwood FC went 22-2, with its only losses being in friendlies against other teams. This season, as stated in a previous article (Oakwood FC: What It Means To Wear the Badge), Oakwood FC resolved its problems with team mentality and being the scrappiest on the field. What makes a team a champion team is their mentality and willingness to never give up. Coach Nunnally has worked to instill this belief in the team, and even as Oakwood FC went down in the semi-final and final, we always had the belief to fight back – and so we won.
The Final – a rematch against Statesville Christian – was held on October 25th, with a massive turnout from the fans. Although the game started unexpectedly with a goal from Statesville in the first half, Oakwood immediately struck back with a long ball from Edward Bates to Eduardo Murillo Ramirez who buried the chance. With that Oakwood was tied with Statesville, and we kept up the pressure the second half. Eeshan Mudireddy had a close range header after a deflection from a shot from Eduardo to go one ahead. Oakwood then sealed the game with a free kick goal from Eduardo. Despite the rough beginning to the game, the constant fouls, and all the noise, Oakwood FC was able to rise up and use the mentality that Coach Nunnally had been advocating for: Relentless until the whistle is blown.
